Cape Town City FC head coach Eric Tinkler has revealed why Taariq Fielies decided to leave the club in the recent past transfer window.
The 31-year-old ended a six-year stay at the Citizens after joining AmaZulu FC in what was an abrupt switch before the window closed.
Fielies had joined City in 2017 from Milano United who later sold their status to Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila.
Tinkler says Fielies requested to part ways with Cape Town City, citing “family and personal reasons”. He added the centre-back’s exit had nothing to do with football.
ERIC TINKLER EXPLAINS REASONS BEHIND TAARIQ FIELIES’ EXIT FROM CAPE TOWN CITY
“Taariq Fielies went into the chairman’s office and requested to leave,” Tinkler told the media.
“Personal reasons, family reasons, he felt that he needed to get away for personal reasons. His performances for me in the previous two seasons, I gave him Player of the Year both [seasons].
“So, Taariq was never a problem on the field but obviously he had issues that he needed to deal with off-the-field. And it came at a stage where he no longer wanted to be at the club.
“So, we said, ‘no problem as long as we can find the move for you. We’re not just gonna release you.’
“Fortunately, AmaZulu tabled an [offer] and we accepted and he left. No other reason than that.”
Tinkler went on to say they wouldn’t keep a player who was no longer happy to be at the club.
‘WHY KEEP THEM?’
“I’ve got to look after the well-being of the team, one of my big jobs is managing the players and the squad,” he added.
“And you gotta have people who want to be [at the club]. If they don’t want to, why you keep them? You know it’s hard”
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